HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Gleason 8 and SRT - need words of encouragement, if any

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/8/2019 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
All,

I am a Gleason 8 going through 39 treatments of SRT (6 more sessions to go), Also on 6-month course of ADT which may be extended -- not sure at this point. Side effects from both have been almost non-existent.

I am writing today because my anxiety has been creeping back -- I am worried that this SRT will not prove to be successful based on what I've read here and elsewhere. I'm also concerned about the Gleason 8, LVI, immediate BCR, and velocity of PSA post-surgery. I asked my RO last week where the "good news" is in my chart and she responded "the good news is that you are in treatment." Not exactly the response I was looking for.

Has anyone here experienced (or heard about) someone in a similar situation to mine who has seen SRT success?

Thank you.

Paul
Posted 3/8/2019 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
I take zyban for anxiety and mild depression type symptoms - it’s not supposed to have much Long term SE. get some similar medication , your PCP can place the order, it will help. We are the same age, btw smile
Posted 3/8/2019 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
ddyss,
Thank you for the quick reply with your thoughts. I should clarify regarding my anxiety and depression symptoms - they have been bothersome but manageable. I do take medications for pre-existing depression and anxiety and the doctor made some changes post-diagnosis which have helped tremendously. I also have been getting support from a social worker at the cancer center I am being treated at, and I practice mindfulness and prayer.
Posted 3/8/2019 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
The horrible thing is: waiting is a killer.

And that's where you are: waiting. It could be months/years before you know if this worked or didn't. Until you're off the HT and your PSA can find it's level you won't know if the SRT has been effective.

Yes, there are many people who've gone through this treatment and have beat this thing. There is every chance you'll be just fine when it's done. While you're doctor was a bit flippant (in my opinion) she is correct - you're treating it and that a great thing.

However the anxiety, depress, worry are real. Some of that is just psychological, but ADT messes with your hormones and can add a real body chemistry/physical component in the equation. A good part of what you're dealing with is a direct result of the treatment - mental, emotional, and psychical.

Sadly there's no magic here and the waiting is the worst.
Andrew
Posted 3/8/2019 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Andrew is right on (as usual). You have a good chance for a cure, but you won't know for a long time. To that end, I can see that waiting would cause anxiety and, unfortunately, I have nothing to add along those lines. But I will point to a very bright spot in your post: no SEs from the SRT or the ADT. Particularly regarding the ADT, that's impressive!
Posted 3/8/2019 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Paul, I went through everything, RP, SRT and ADT last year. I finished radiation in October 2018 and my first PSA after it came back undetectable. I just got my second Lupron shot in January but so far so good. Probably won't know for sure for another year or so. I go back April 1 for a PSA test. I'm confident it will be undetectable since I still have Lupron coursing through my body. I'm just getting real tired of the hot flashes at night.
I went through a really depressing period immediately following radiation. I guess it was because after all the attention and focus on getting well it was just over. It has gotten better but I think the Lupron keeps the depression around.
Hang in there with the rest of us.
Posted 3/8/2019 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
The mental aspect of PC in horrible. I am just over 1 month post RP and this week has been the worst. My pathology showed Seminal Vessel cancer that was removed in surgery. My next appointment is 3/18 to determine my next steps. I can take the physical pain, but the mental is killing me. To top it off, we find out today if my wife has breast cancer. TUFF freaking week. All we can do is live one day at a time and push trough it. SCREW CANCER!
Posted 3/8/2019 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
P34 - I'm about a year ahead of you... RP in 2016, Adj RT in 2017 and final Lupron shot was over a year ago... but it's sticking with me. Still having hot flashes and mood swings. The depression is probably the worst part of it. Plus I won't know for sure if the cancer is gone until AFTER my testosterone has begun to rise, which so far hasn't happened.

Fran, I can sympathize with you. Just three months after my RP my wife was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. My radiation had to be delayed nearly a full year while I took care of her. And it didn't help with my feelings of depression either. I ended up going on antidepressants six months later, and am still on them now... and still have "episodes". It seems every few weeks is another test. Good luck to you and your wife.
Posted 3/9/2019 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Paul,
Please see hubby's profile below - almost 10 years post RRP, RT & ADT. PSA's have been undetectable ever since treatment was completed. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but we'll take it! Hope this gives you some encouragement!
Posted 3/9/2019 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Paul, as you can see from Flbeachgal’s post and her husband’s post op experience, it’s quite possible that you are going to be done with this after treatment ends. Note that FLbeachgal’s hubby was a G8(5+3), 5 being prominent is less favorable than (4+4) . And yet he remains undetectable.

So there is the good news. Try focusing in that fact.
Posted 3/9/2019 4:57 PM (GMT 0)

MotownPaul said...
All,

I am a Gleason 8 going through 39 treatments of SRT (6 more sessions to go), Also on 6-month course of ADT which may be extended -- not sure at this point. Side effects from both have been almost non-existent......

You have lots of good news, Paul. Please consider:

1. You will die someday, but very probably not from PCa.
2. Your SRT is almost over, and your side effects have been minimal.
3. You were downgraded from G9 to G8.
4. Your RO is a straight shooter.
5. ADT is almost over. IMO, 6 months is MORE than enough, RO over-treatment! Do some in-depth research.
6. Over a lifetime, SRT is successful in well over 50% of cases. Unfounded worry reduces that %.
7. Mindfulness, prayer, and a good social worker are all excellent help.
8. As Andrew said, you can beat the disease, anxiety will not help, and it's ALWAYS a waiting game (just like life)

The majority of those in your situation do fine, and never come to a forum like this, which is populated by a disproportionate number of brothers who unfortunately have either encountered follow-on conditions, or obsess about them. They (we) are NOT a representative sample.

Relax, you'll do fine!

Post Edited (garyi) : 3/9/2019 2:54:06 PM (GMT-7)

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply